Esther Olatunji

Ph.D. student, Chemistry

Research Interests:
Esther focuses on the bioinorganic and catalytic activation of small molecules, with particular interest in reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) to useful fuels and products. She will explore the design and reactivity of transition‑metal complexes that mediate this reaction under mild, environmentally friendly conditions. By integrating experimental and computational approaches, she aims to identify pathways that support green synthetic strategies.

Road to the Moody School:
Esther earned her B.Sc. in industrial chemistry from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 2023. Her undergraduate research centered on the microwave‑assisted synthesis of organic molecules as potential antimalarial agents. She later served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry at Rivers State University, contributing to research on green synthetic methods and assisting with undergraduate practical instruction. She enjoys playing the violin, reading and singing karaoke.